State Rep. Michael Webber, of Rochester Hills, today voted in support of the Legislature’s school aid budget, which includes the largest ever investment for Michigan students in the state’s history.

The budget provides a total of $15.2 billion for K-12 schools. Under the plan, per-pupil funding would increase for every student in Michigan by $120 to $240 – a total increase of more than $300 million in the foundation allowance. The governor’s recommendation capped the increase at just $180 per student.

“I am confident in the school funding plan passed by the House today – it represents a quality compromise that provides greater support for key programs than the plan originally passed by the House,” Webber said. “A quality proposal like this comes forward when we work together in a bipartisan fashion.”

The K-12 school budget plan passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, 91-18.

In addition to increased per-pupil funding, the Legislature-approved plan also:

• Increases Career Technical Education funding to $50 per student and includes $16 million in equipment grants for a total of nearly $74 million in CTE investment.
• Triples the investment in literacy coaches.
• Includes a total investment of $510 million in at-risk students.
• Nearly triples funding for English language learners.
• Includes $60 million more than last year to reimburse school districts for special education costs.
• Includes additional investments in school safety grants and school-based health and mental health programs.

“This plan provides $60 million more for special education programs and closes the funding gap between our school districts,” Webber said. “This was done without the governor’s proposed tax hike, proving that delivering a quality plan can be done without increasing taxes.”

The plan now heads to the governor’s desk for consideration.

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